headlights Acura TL 2003 3.2 Owner's Manual

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Acura. All the essential controls
are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .56
...............................
Indicator Lights .57
.............................................
Gauges .64
...............................
Speedometer .64
.................................
Tachometer .64
.....................................
Odometer .65
...................................
Trip Meter .65
Outside Temperature ...................................
Indicator .66
...................
Temperature Gauge . 66
..................................
Fuel Gauge .66
Maintenance Required ...................................
Indicator .67
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .68
...................................
Headlights .69 ...................................
Fog Lights .70
Automatic Lighting Off .....................................
Feature .70
............
Daytime Running Lights . 70
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 71
................................
Turn Signals .71
.....................
Windshield Wipers .72
..................
Windshield Washers . 73
..........................
Hazard Warning .73
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 74
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 75
...............................
Keys and Locks .76
..............................................
Keys .76
....................
Immobilizer System . 77
............................
Ignition Switch .78
......................
Power Door Locks .79
...................
Remote Transmitter . 81
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 84
...........................................
Trunk .85
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 86
....................................
Glove Box .87
............................
Seat Adjustments .88
Driver’s Seat Full Power ............................
Adjustments .88
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 90Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments .90
..........................
Head Restraints .91
............................................
Armrest .92
.............................................
Mirrors .94
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 94
Driving Position Memory ..........................................
System .96
....................................
Seat Heaters .99
............................
Power Windows .100
.......................................
Moonroof .103
...............................
Parking Brake .104
..................................
Digital Clock .105
.................
Console Compartment . 106
........................................
Coin Box .106
Armrest Storage ..........................
Compartments .107
...........................
Beverage Holder .108
........................................
Sun Visor .109
................................
Vanity Mirror .109
........................
Sunglasses Holder .110
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 110
...............................
Interior Lights .111
..................................
Storage Tray .112
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols55

Canadian models only
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the trunk or any door
is not closed tightly.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should f lash.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II).
69
70
270
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Door and T runk Open Monitor
62

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Î
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Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel.To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘A’’ logo.
The controls under the lef t air vent
are f or the f og lights, the moonroof ,
thecruisecontrolandtheVSA/TCS.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols68
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If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the
driver’s door.
To change between low beams and
high beams, pull the turn signal lever
until you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will
light (see page ).To f lash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will come
on and go of f .
The high beams will stay on f or as
long as you hold the lever back, no
matter what position the headlight
switch is in.
The rotating switch on the lef t lever
controls the lights. Turning this
switch to the ‘‘ ’’ position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the ‘‘ ’’
position turns on the headlights. 62
Headlights
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols69

The lights will turn on again when
you unlock or open the driver’s door.
If you unlock the door, but do not
open it within 15 seconds, the lights
will go of f . With the driver’s door
open, you will hear a lights-on
reminder chime.
With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
of f , even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
The Automatic Lighting Of f f eature
turns of f the headlights, and all other
exterior lights and the instrument
panel lights within 15 seconds of
removing the key from the ignition
switch and closing the driver’s door.
This feature activates if you leave
the headlight switch in the ‘‘ ’’
or ‘‘ ’’ position, remove the key,
open, then close the driver’s door.
If you remove the key f rom the
ignition switch with the headlight
switch on, but do not open the door
and get out, the lights will turn of f
af ter ten minutes.
Turn the f og lights on and of f by
pressing the button. The indicator in
the button lights to show the f og
lights are on.
You can use the f og lights only when
the headlights are on low beam.
They will go of f when you turn the
headlights of f or onto high beam.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Daytime Running L ights
(Canadian Models)
Automatic Lighting Of f Feature
Fog Lights
70

Adjust the outside mirrors with the
adjustment switch on the driver’s
door armrest:Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Move the selector switch to L
(driver’s side) or R (passenger’s
side).
Keeptheinsideandoutsidemirrors
clean and adjusted f or best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors bef ore
you start driving.
The inside mirror can automatically
darken to reduce glare. To turn on
this feature, press the button on the
bottom of the mirror. The AUTO
indicator comes on as a reminder.
When it is on, the mirror darkens
when it senses the headlights of a
vehicle behind you, then returns to
normal visibility when the lights are
gone. Press the button again to turn
of f this sensing.1.
2.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Mirrors
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
94
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µ
The master control panel also con-
tains these extra features:
The MAIN switch controls power to
the passenger’s window. With this
switch of f , the passenger’s window
cannot be raised or lowered. The
MAIN switch does not af f ect the driv-
er’s window. Keep the MAIN switch
off whenyouhavechildreninthecar
so they do not injure themselves by
operating the window unintentionally.
The lights inside the switches come
onwhenyouturntheparkinglights
or headlights on.
To open the driver’s
window f ully, push the window
switch f irmly down, then release it.
The window automatically goes
down all the way. To stop the
window f rom going all the way down,
pull back on the window switch
brief ly.
To close the driver’s window f ully,
pull back the window switch f irmly,
then release it. The window
automatically goes all the way up. To
stop the window f rom going all the
way up, push down on the window
switch brief ly. To open or close the driver’s window
partially, push down or pull back on
the window switch lightly and hold it.
The window will stop when you
release the switch.
If the driver’s window runs into any
obstacle while it is closing
automatically, it will stop, and then
reverse direction. To close the
window, remove the obstacle, then
use the window switch again.
Auto reverse stops sensing when the
window is almost closed. You should
always check that all passengers and
objects are away from the window
bef ore closing it.
CONT INUED
Power Windows
Inst rument s and Cont rols
AUTO
Auto Reverse
101

Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), or
the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.
The security system sets auto-
matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and trunk. For
the system to activate, you must lock
the doors f rom the outside with the
key, lock tab, door lock switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system light next to the driver’s door
lock starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself . The security system helps to protect
your car and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
carorremovetheradio.Thisalarm
continues f or two minutes, then the
system resets. To reset an alarming
system bef ore the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock either f ront door
with the key or the remote
transmitter. With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the remote
transmitter without triggering the
alarm. The alarm will sound if the
trunk is opened with the trunk
releasebuttononthedriver’sdoor,
thetrunkreleasehandlebehindthe
trunk pass-through cover, or the
emergency trunk opener.
The security system will not set if
the hood, trunk, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Trunk Open
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ), to see if the doors
and trunk are f ully closed. Since it is
notpartofthemonitordisplay,
manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
62
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures152
S SE
EC
CU UR RIITT Y
Y S
SYYSSTTE
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M L
LIIGGH HT
T

µµBeing able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights. Check your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid. Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothervehicles.The
spray f rom large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buf f eting
can cause you to lose control.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def roster and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
pages and ).
122 127
Visibility
Traction
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving210

µµµ µ
µ
µ
µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page . Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . When adding or replacing f luids
within the engine compartment, such
as oil and coolant, be caref ul of
spillage.
This may lead to damage parts in the
engine compartment.
178
179
243 246
244 260
267
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance231